Marmion, Naperville North, Burlington Central, St. Charles North and Oswego East are picks to click for Week 3.
Marmion (1-1) at St. Viator (1-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Forest View Stadium in Arlington Heights.
Matchup breakdown: It’s the third straight CCL/ESCC crossover game in as many years between St. Viator and Marmion. The Lions have won each of the last two meetings, 34-7 last season and 49-27 in 2022.
In a big offensive showing last week against North Lawndale, sophomore quarterback Roy Magana Jr. led the Cadets with three touchdown passes. Junior running back Henry Miller scored TDs on runs of 65 and 27 yards, while junior receiver Colin McEniry added TD catches of 43 and 30 yards.
X-factor: Joey Favia, Marmion, senior, fullback.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Marmion.
Metea Valley (2-0) at Naperville North (1-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Under first-year coach Patrick Sheehan, the Mustangs rolled past Plainfield Central 48-7 for their second straight win after beating Downers Grove South 35-19 in the opener.
Junior quarterback Charlie Larson led the way by completing 12 of 12 passes for 170 yards and a TD. He also ran for 70 yards and three TDs.
It’s the first winning streak for Metea in 32 games. The Mustangs won three in a row — over Belleville East, DeKalb and Waubonsie Valley — in September 2021.
Senior running back William Eloe paces the Huskies in rushing with 39 carries for 205 yards and two TDs.
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X-factor: Spencer Gondek, Metea Valley, senior, linebacker.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Naperville North.
Burlington Central (2-0) at Jacobs (1-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The Rockets are coming off a big 10-7 win over perennial Fox Valley Conference contender Cary-Grove, with another game that’s worthy of being called a showdown.
Jacobs and Burlington Central should both be among the top five contenders in a race for the top of a bunched-up conference. Look for favorite Prairie Ridge and Huntley to join that group.
Junior defensive back/running back Parker Auxier had the big play of the game last week, breaking up a Cary-Grove pass in the final 30 seconds. He also had 6 1/2 tackles and ran eight times for 63 yards and the lone TD.
Senior running back Justin Gonzalez had a 16-yard TD run in Jacobs’ 33-22 loss to Prairie Ridge.
X-factor: Caden DuMelle, Jacobs, senior, running back.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Burlington Central.
Geneva (1-1) at St. Charles North (2-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: An early season showdown in the DuKane Conference between two of the three defending co-champions going head to head. It’s also the conference opener.
The Vikings, coming off a 35-6 loss at Oswego, will be looking to establish their ground game. They struggled against the Panthers, being held to less than 65 total yards.
Junior quarterback Ben Peterson threw for 132 yards, while junior wide receiver Bennett Konkey came up with five catches for 90 yards.
The North Stars beat a pair of Class 8A opponents, escaping Minooka 36-35 and then topping Homewood-Flossmoor 35-16. Keep an eye on senior running back Carson Durante, who produced 169 yards and two TDs on 18 carries against H-F.
Senior linebacker Wyatt Brandt also had a big game, recording nine tackles with two sacks and two tackles for loss. He also broke up a pass.
X-factor: Lucas Tenbrock, St. Charles North, senior, kicker/punter/offensive lineman.
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Rick Armstrong’s prediction: St. Charles North.
Oswego East (2-0) at Plainfield North (0-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Both teams that the Wolves have beaten — Joliet West 41-0 and Willowbrook 24-7 — are winless like Plainfield North. All three, though, are likely better than those records. The Tigers could be the best of the three, having lost 34-0 to Lockport and 38-3 to York.
Senior offensive linemen Rocco LaCalamita and Connor Griffin are returning starters who helped pave the way last week for senior running back Jasiah Watson to rush for a career-high 208 yards. Senior quarterback Niko Villacci also ran for 64 yards.
Senior defensive backs Jamari McKay and Kam Williams both intercepted passes.
X-factor: Caden Bregar, Oswego East, senior, kicker/punter.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Oswego East.